Flag of India

Quick Facts: Who was Flag of India?

Subject:

Flag of India

Known for:

The national flag of India, featuring saffron, white, green, and the Ashoka Chakra.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The national flag of India, colloquially called Tiraṅgā (the tricolour), is a horizontal rectangular tricolour flag, the colours being of India saffron, white and India green; with the Ashoka Chakra, a 24-spoke wheel, in navy blue at its centre. It was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947, and it became the official flag of the Union of India on 15 August 1947. The flag was subsequently retained as that of the Republic of India. In India, the term "tricolour" almost always refers to the Indian national flag. The flag is based on the Swaraj flag, a flag of the Indian National Congress adopted by Mahatma Gandhi after making significant modifications to the design proposed by Pingali Venkayya.

Career & Major Achievements

This flag included the charkha, which was replaced with the chakra in 1947 by Jawaharlal Nehru. Before the amendment of the flag code in 2021, the flag was by law only to be made of khadi, a special type of hand-spun cloth or silk, made popular by Mahatma Gandhi. The manufacturing process and specifications for the flag are laid out by the Bureau of Indian Standards. The right to manufacture the flag is held by the Khadi Development and Village Industries Commission, which allocates it to regional groups. As of 2023, there are 4 units in India that are licensed to manufacture the flag.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Usage of the flag is governed by the Flag Code of India and other laws relating to the national emblems. The original code prohibited use of the flag by private citizens except on national days such as Independence Day and Republic Day. In 2002, on hearing an appeal from a private citizen, Naveen Jindal, the Supreme Court of India directed the Government of India to amend the code to allow flag usage by private citizens. Subsequently, the Union Cabinet of India amended the code to allow limited usage. The code was amended once more in 2005 to allow some additional use including adaptations on certain forms of clothing.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1947: 1947 Milestone — It was adopted in its present form during a meeting of the Constituent Assembly held on 22 July 1947, and it became the official flag of the Union of India on 15 August 1947.
2. 2002: 2002 Milestone — In 2002, on hearing an appeal from a private citizen, Naveen Jindal, the Supreme Court of India directed the Government of India to amend the code to allow flag usage by private citizens.
3. 2005: 2005 Milestone — The code was amended once more in 2005 to allow some additional use including adaptations on certain forms of clothing.
4. 2021: 2021 Milestone — Before the amendment of the flag code in 2021, the flag was by law only to be made of khadi, a special type of hand-spun cloth or silk, made popular by Mahatma Gandhi.
5. 2023: 2023 Milestone — As of 2023, there are 4 units in India that are licensed to manufacture the flag.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Flag of India

True or False: “The Indian tricolour was originally designed to feature a charkha (spinning wheel) instead of the Ashoka Chakra.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While early versions used symbols like the charkha, Jawaharlal Nehru replaced it with the 24-spoke Ashoka Chakra in 1947.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Al Capone — Historical peer (Died in 1947) (1947): Notorious American gangster and businessman during the Prohibition era.
• Alan Guth — Historical peer (Born in 1947) (1947): Pioneering cosmologist known for developing the theory of cosmic inflation.
• Aaron Beck — Historical peer (Died in 2021) (2021): Father of Cognitive Therapy and CBT, revolutionizing psychiatric treatment.
• Abdelaziz Bouteflika — Historical peer (Died in 2021) (2021): Algerian politician who served as the seventh President of Algeria from 1999 to 2019.
• A. S. Byatt — Historical peer (Died in 2023) (2023): Acclaimed English novelist, poet, and critic known for complex literary works.
• Alan Arkin — Historical peer (Died in 2023) (2023): Esteemed American actor, filmmaker, and musician with a seven-decade career.
• Abba Eban — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): Israeli diplomat, politician, and scholar of Arabic and Hebrew languages.
• Adolph Green — Historical peer (Died in 2002) (2002): American lyricist and playwright known for his long-running, witty partnership with Betty Comden.
• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances and masterful impersonation.
• Akira Yoshizawa — Historical peer (Died in 2005) (2005): Japanese origamist, credited with elevating origami from a mere craft to a recognized living art.

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